Tag: League

On the January 8, 2018 episode of /Film Daily, Peter Sciretta is joined Hoai-Tran Bui, to talk about the latest news, including the 2018 Golden Globes winners, Bloodshot movie casting, a Justice League extended cut, Chris Hemsworth’s thoughts on Quentin Tarantino’s Star Trek film, and the possibility of Blade Runner 3. And at the water cooler, we’ll be chatting about The Void’s Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire VR experience and Pillars of the Earth.

You can find more about all the stories we mentioned on today’s show at slashfilm.com. /Film Daily is published every weekday, bringing you the most exciting news from the world of movies and television as well as deeper dives into the great features from slashfilm.com. You can subscribe to /Film Daily on iTunes, Google Play, Overcast and all the popular podcast apps (RSS). Please feel free to send your feedback, questions or comments to us at peter@slashfilm.com and leave your name and general geographic location in case we mention the e-mail on the air. Please rate and review the podcast on iTunes and spread the word! Thanks to Sam Hume for our logo.

Would you believe there was almost a Guardians of the Galaxy comic where the characters were magical high school girls? When will Justice League be available to watch on digital download? Will Trigon be appearing on the Titans live-action series? How did someone steal $ 300,000 from Stan Lee? Which superhero star had their name mispronounced all over the place in 2017? All that and more in this edition of Superhero Bits.

Family fights back in a brand new trailer for Black Lightning, premiering on The CW a bit later this month.

What is Batman doing with a Kryptonite-filled Infinity Gauntlet? Do you want to make your own Marvel Comics? When will Young Justice return for the anticipated third season? Has an Avengers: Infinity War LEGO set revealed some movie spoilers? What’s in store for the midseason premieres of The Flash, Supergirl, Arrow and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow? All that and more in this edition of Superhero Bits.

The Justice League animated series was a pivotal part of the millennial Saturday morning cartoon experience. It was part of a brief golden era of animation spearheaded by Bruce Timm, who created and co-created acclaimed animated series Batman, Superman, Batman Beyond, and Justice League, which would tie all of the shows together. It was the standard by which Warner Bros.’ other forays into the DC Universe would be held (at least by ’90s kids) and hasn’t been topped. So, why not return to the golden days of optimistic and compelling storytelling by clamoring for a feature film reunion of our favorite cartoon superheroes? It might just happen.

It all began when a Twitter user spread the hashtag #JLReunion, asking fans of the Justice League animated series to petition Warner Bros. Home Entertainment for a reunion film. Several members of the voice-acting cast shared the tweet, and later confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that they would return to voice the beloved superheroes for a reunion movie — if it happened.

Kevin Conroy, who voiced Batman for 25 years in properties in and outside of Warner Bros.’ DC animated series and movies, told THR:

“I’m often at Comic-Cons across the country where I get to interact with the audience, and a frequently asked question is why there hasn’t been a Justice League animated movie based on the animated TV series. There’s a large and loyal fan base there that you’d think the studio would want to tap into. To me it’s a no-brainer.”

He was joined in agreement by Susan Eisenberg, the voice of Wonder Woman; George Newbern, the voice of Superman in Justice League and Justice League: Unlimited; Phil LaMarr, the voice of Green Lantern; and Michael Rosenbaum, the voice of The Flash. Rosenbaum has been a DC Comics steadfast on TV, playing Lex Luthor for 10 years on the CW’s Smallville series. He told THR:

“Why it was prematurely cancelled always baffled me. I’d be honored and grateful to be a part of any sort of reunion with all the beautiful people associated with this show.”

Justice League ran for two seasons on Cartoon Network, and was followed up by the expanded Justice League Unlimited for three seasons. Sure, on the short end when you consider animated series like The Simpsons has run for more than two decades, but it was a sizable amount for a serialized superhero series. But while the final season of Justice League Unlimited didn’t leave on a cliffhanger — wrapping up the DC Animated Universe in the indelible Batman-centric episode “Epilogue” — it did kind of just…end without resolution. A reunion movie bringing back all the voice actors — as well as Justice League voice director Andrea Romano who has allegedly promised to come out of retirement for the movie — would bring a satisfying end to the DCAU.

It’s not uncommon for fan demand to bring a series back from beyond the grave. Kickstarter funded the Veronica Mars movie, Netflix renewed Fuller House and Arrested Development, and years before crowd-sourcing was a thing, Joss Whedon finished his Firefly saga with the theatrical release of Serenity. Sure, the actual creative and critical success of these revived properties are questionable, but we all want to revisit our favorite things from childhood. Especially when the alternative is the grim, uncertain future of the DCEU.

While some hardcore DC movie fans insist that Warner Bros. should continue to make dark and gritty superhero movies, at least one of the franchise’s actors is embracing the opportunity to return to a more traditional depiction of his character. Henry Cavill, who has played Superman in Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and Justice League, explains how the change his character undergoes in the latter DC Comics movie gives him a huge opportunity to depict the classic version of Superman in possible Justice League or Man of Steel sequels.

It’s no secret that Cavill’s Superman has thus far largely been a mopey, sullen sourpuss. The character received a lot of criticism for destroying a city and ultimately snapping General Zod’s neck in Man of Steel, and for his generally unpleasant demeanor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, a movie in which he seems to again reject the core tenants of the character as we know him from older movies and the comics.

After Superman’s – spoiler alert – resurrection in Justice League, and a brief sojourn to Smallville where Lois Lane settles him down after that shocking experience, the Superman we see in the rest of the movie is totally different than the one Cavill’s played previously. He shows a desire to protect civilians, takes charge in the fight against Steppenwolf, and even cracks a smile or two along the way. (/Film’s Chris Evangelista wrote a great editorial about how Justice League finally gets Superman right, and I encourage you all to read it.)

Henry Cavill recognizes the shift in tone: “This movie highlights the qualities of Superman that exist in the comic books. That’s something I’ve always been very keen to highlight in the character,” he told The Los Angeles Times in a recent interview. “This rebirth provided the opportunity for me to play those characteristics.” He continued:

“I’ve always enjoyed the traditional, very classic view on Superman in the comic books. I think there’s an enormous complexity to that character. I know when I was working with Joss [Whedon] he and I saw eye-to-eye on some of the aspects of Superman. That paragon of hope. That ideal. That wonderful feeling of, ‘Oh, good, Superman’s here!’ I have also developed a very personal and protective relationship over this character, and it was just lovely to have the opportunity to smile and feel good.”

Notice how he mentions that classic ideal was Whedon’s doing, not Snyder’s? That’s Exhibit 206 in the ongoing case of “Zack Snyder Doesn’t Understand Superman.”

Cavill, who is still contracted for another movie and could possibly return for even more beyond that, sees Justice League’s radical reinvention as the first step on a road to redemption for this character:

“There’s a wonderful opportunity to tell the Superman story. Now there is a fantastic chance to show Superman in his full colors and tell a very complex, character-driven movie that is based on story and have that wonderful sensation of hope and happiness. A feel-good movie with lessons laced in there as well.”

Whether that will happen in Justice League 2, Man of Steel 2, or as a supporting role in another DC hero’s main movie remains to be seen, but it sounds like Superman – the real Superman, the one who doesn’t think twice about saving innocent people or doing the right thing – is finally here, and that can only be a good sign for the future of the DC cinematic universe.

Disney•Pixar‘s Coco won the five-day Thanksgiving box office with an estimated $ 71.2 million from 3,987 theaters, with $ 49 million of the total coming from the Friday-to-Sunday period. The debut makes Coco the fourth-highest Thanksgiving opener ever and gives Disney 10 of the top 11 openings all-time for Thanksgiving. The film received an excellent A+ CinemaScore from audiences. Internationally, the movie added $ 30.7 million this weekend to take its international sum to $ 82.2 million and worldwide total to $ 153.4 million. Coco enjoyed a strong opening in China with $ 18.2 million over the three-day weekend, making it the second-highest opening ever for a Disney•Pixar release behind only Zootopia. In Mexico, Coco has now earned a record Mexico $ 53.4 million. Directed by Lee Unkrich and co-directed by Adrian Molina, Coco features the voices of Anthony Gonzalez, Benjamin Bratt, Gael Garcia Bernal, Edward James Olmos, Alanna Ubach, and more.

Warner Bros. Pictures‘ Justice League added $ 59.6 million over the five-day Thanksgiving box office in second place for a domestic total of $ 171.5 million after two weeks. The comic book movie is playing in 4,051 North American theaters and earned $ 40.7 million from Friday to Sunday. Internationally, Justice League ranked No. 1 again with $ 72.2 million from about 31,450 screens in 66 markets, bringing its overseas total to $ 309.8 million and worldwide sum to $ 481.3 million. Of the international markets, China is on top with $ 83.1 million, followed by Brazil with $ 24.9 million, Mexico with $ 18.2 million, the UK with $ 16.6 million, and Korea with $ 12 million. Directed by Zack Snyder, Justice League stars Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, and J.K. Simmons.

In third place, Lionsgate’s Wonder earned $ 32 million for the five days and $ 22.3 million over the weekend for a total of $ 69.4 million in North America. Playing in 3,172 theaters and directed by Stephen Chbosky, Wonder stars Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Jacob Tremblay, Daveed Diggs, and Noah Jupe.

The fourth spot belonged to Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok, which grossed $ 24.3 million over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday ($ 16.8 million for the weekend) to push its domestic total to $ 277.5 million after four weeks. Overseas, the film earned another $ 11 million and has now reached $ 512.6 million. That’s a worldwide total of $ 790.1 million. The first Thor earned $ 449.3 million worldwide and Thor: The Dark World took in $ 644.5 million globally. Made for $ 180 million, the Taika Waititi-directed Thor: Ragnarok stars Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo, and Anthony Hopkins.

Rounding out the top five was Paramount Pictures’ Daddy’s Home 2, directed by Sean Anders and starring Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, John Lithgow, and Mel Gibson. The sequel, produced for $ 69 million, collected $ 18.6 million for the five days ($ 13.3 million over the weekend) and has earned $ 72.7 million domestically after three weeks. Internationally, the comedy grossed $ 13.8 million this weekend in 24 markets and has now grossed $ 15 million. In 2015, the first Daddy’s Home earned $ 150 million domestically and $ 92.4 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $ 242.8 million.

20th Century Fox’s Murder on the Orient Express took in $ 18.6 million for the five days ($ 13 million this weekend) in sixth place and has now grossed $ 74.2 million domestically. Overseas, the film collected $ 17.2 million from 62 markets, driving its international total to $ 122.6 million and global total to $ 196.8 million. Made for $ 55 million and directed by Kenneth Branagh, the adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel features a large ensemble cast that includes Branagh, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Michael Pena, Judi Dench, Leslie Odom Jr., Tom Bateman, Lucy Boynton, Sir Derek Jacobi, Josh Gad, Penelope Cruz, Sergei Polunin, and Willem Dafoe.

In eighth, STXfilms’ A Bad Moms Christmas grossed $ 6.8 million ($ 5 million for the weekend) and is up to $ 59.8 million. Internationally, the sequel brought in $ 4 million and has reached $ 33 million, for a global total of $ 92.8 million. Last year, the first Bad Moms took in $ 113.3 million in North America and $ 70.7 million overseas, for a global sum of $ 183.9 million. Written and directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, the $ 28 million-budgeted A Bad Moms Christmas stars Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn, Cheryl Hines, Christine Baranski and Susan Sarandon.

Columbia Pictures’ Roman J. Israel, Esq. took in $ 6.2 million for the five-day holiday weekend (a $ 4.5 million weekend) in ninth place, for a $ 6.27 million domestic cume. Written and directed by Dan Gilroy, the Denzel Washington-starrer was made for $ 22 million.

In tenth place, Fox Searchlight Pictures’ Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri added $ 5.8 million for the five days and $ 4.4 million over the weekend to take its total to $ 7.6 million. Written and directed by Martin McDonagh, the movie stars Francis McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Abbie Cornish, Lucas Hedges, Zeljko Ivanek, Caleb Landry Jones, Clarke Peters, Samantha Weaving, John Hawkes, and Peter Dinklage.

Coco tops Justice League with $ 13.2 million on Wednesday

Disney•Pixar‘s Coco topped the Wednesday box office with an estimated $ 13.2 million from 3,987 theaters and looks to be headed for more than $ 70 million for the five-day holiday period. The film earned $ 2.3 million from Tuesday previews and received an excellent A+ CinemaScore from audiences.

Dropping to second place was Warner Bros. Pictures‘ Justice League, which added $ 10.5 million on Wednesday and has now grossed $ 122.4 million since opening in North America last Friday. The comic book movie is playing in 4,051 theaters and should come in at over $ 60 million for the five days.

The top five was rounded out by Wonder in third place with $ 6 million and $ 43.2 million total, Thor: Ragnarok in fourth with $ 3.98 million for a total of $ 257.2 million, and Daddy’s Home in the fifth spot with $ 2.7 million and a total of $ 57.7 million.

On the November 20, 2017 episode of /Film Daily, Peter Sciretta is joined by /Film senior writer Ben Pearson and writer Chris Evangelista for a special episode of the podcast taking a look at the aftermath of Justice League’s opening weekend, its failure at the box office, a fan petition for a Zack Snyder cut, what Joss Whedon’s writing credit means, and Ben Affleck’s future as Batman in the DCEU. At the Water Cooler, we’ll be talking about Las Vegas, David Copperfield, John Carpenter, and traveling. And in the Spoiler Room, we’ll be discussing the changes of the Justice League reshoots and what the end credits scenes mean.

Feedback: Last week we talked about what Warner Bros needs to do to make the DCEU successful moving forward, and asked for your ideas. Timothy in LA wrote in: “One of the pitfalls of the DC movie universe is that they started too big villain-wise. Man of Steel had Zod who is way too big a threat to start off with. His goal was to terraform the earth and destroy mankind. That’s no different from Steppenwolf. There’s been nothing for DC to build up to. And, worse yet – Darkseid is going to do the same exact thing in the eventual sequel. If WB wants to improve these movies, they need to find something unique in terms of conflict. Flashpoint is a good start with an alternate timeline. A rule for these movies: no more aliens taking over the world, or villains threatening the whole of humanity.”

You can find more about all the stories we mentioned on today’s show at slashfilm.com. /Film Daily is published every weekday, bringing you the most exciting news from the world of movies and television as well as deeper dives into the great features from slashfilm.com. You can subscribe to /Film Daily on iTunes, Google Play, Overcast and all the popular podcast apps (RSS). We’re still very much experimenting with this podcast, please feel free to send your feedback to us at peter@slashfilm.com. Please rate and review the podcast on iTunes and spread the word! Thanks to Sam Hume for our logo.

Warner Bros. and DC Comics’ Justice League struggled compared to expectations as it failed to top $ 100 million over the course of its three-day weekend. Meanwhile, it was Lionsgate’s Wonder that captured audience attention, debuting with an excellent $ 27 million, topping Thor: Ragnarok for a second place finish, positioning itself well for the holiday weeks ahead. Additionally, A24’s Lady Bird continued its impressive run in limited release as it makes way for a nationwide debut over Thank…Box Office Mojo – Top Stories

Justice League takes $ 96M domestic and reaches $ 185.5M overseas

Warner Bros. Pictures‘ Justice League opened this weekend in North America with $ 96 million from 4,051 theaters, for an average of $ 23,698 per theater. Comparing Justice League to previous DC debuts, Wonder Woman opened to $ 103.3 million, Suicide Squad to $ 133.7 million, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice to $ 166 million, and Man of Steel to $ 116.6 million. Domestic audiences liked the movie more than critics on Rotten Tomatoes and gave Justice League a B+ CinemaScore.

Lionsgate‘s Wonder is a wonder as the book adaptation far exceeded expectations and brought in $ 27 million domestically its first weekend in second place. The film, which received an A+ CinemaScore, played in 3,096 theaters and averaged $ 8,737 per location. Directed by Stephen Chbosky, Wonder stars Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Jacob Tremblay, Daveed Diggs, and Noah Jupe.

Marvel Studios‘ Thor: Ragnarok added another $ 21.8 million domestically its third weekend in the third spot and earned $ 24.1 million overseas for a global weekend of $ 45.9 million. The third installment has now collected $ 247.4 million in North America and $ 490.7 million internationally ($ 107.5 million from China alone) to take its worldwide total $ 738.1 million. The first Thor earned $ 449.3 million worldwide and Thor: The Dark World took in $ 644.5 million globally. Made for $ 180 million, Taika Waititi-directed Thor: Ragnarok stars Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo, and Anthony Hopkins.

Placing fourth was Paramount Pictures’ Daddy’s Home 2, directed by Sean Anders and starring Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, John Lithgow, and Mel Gibson. The sequel, produced for $ 69 million, added $ 14.8 million its second weekend for a total of $ 50.6 million.

Rounding out the top five was Murder on the Orient Express (20th Century Fox) with $ 13.8 million and a total of $ 51.7 million after two weeks. Internationally, Murder on the Orient Express grossed $ 20.7 million from 54 markets to push its overseas total to $ 96.5 million and worldwide sum to $ 148.2 million. Made for $ 55 million and directed by Kenneth Branagh, the adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel features a large ensemble cast that includes Branagh, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Michael Pena, Judi Dench, Leslie Odom Jr., Tom Bateman, Lucy Boynton, Sir Derek Jacobi, Josh Gad, Penelope Cruz, Sergei Polunin, and Willem Dafoe.

Also, STXfilms’ A Bad Moms Christmas earned $ 6.9 million its third weekend for a total of $ 50.9 million. Internationally, the film has earned $ 26.6 million for a global total of $ 77.5 million. Written and directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, the sequel stars Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn, Cheryl Hines, Christine Baranski and Susan Sarandon. It was made for $ 28 million.

Columbia Pictures’ Roman J. Israel, Esq. had an exclusive preview this weekend in four theaters in New York and Los Angeles, bringing in $ 65,000 for a $ 16,250 per-location average. The $ 22 million-budgeted film, starring Denzel Washington, will be released wide on November 22 for the Thanksgiving holiday.